Ark. senator proposes new school choice law

Wednesday

Jan 16, 2013 at 3:25 PMJan 16, 2013 at 3:29 PM

Republican Sen. Johnny Key of Mountain Home on Wednesday proposed amending the state's school choice law to allow students to transfer — unless they're in a district that has a pending desegregation court order or judicial decree.

Associated Press

The chairman of Arkansas' Senate Education Committee is proposing easing the rules on public school student transfers after a federal judge struck down the state's school choice law.

Republican Sen. Johnny Key of Mountain Home on Wednesday proposed amending the state's school choice law to allow students to transfer — unless they're in a district that has a pending desegregation court order or judicial decree.

A federal judge in June struck down the 1989 school choice law, saying race couldn't be the only factor considered in deciding whether students could transfer between districts.

The state is appealing the decision but lawmakers have said they want to look at revising the law during this year's session.